The anti-landguard unit of the Ghana Police Service has reportedly shot and killed nine individuals suspected to be landguards at Akwasa Hills near Tuba in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
During the operation, one suspect was also injured and is currently receiving medical treatment, while two others have been taken into police custody.
According to sources from Citi News, these suspects had been engaging in harassment against workers of a real estate development company at Akwasa Hills for some time. They would frequently terrorize and harm the workers. On Thursday, June 8, 2023, the suspects allegedly attacked the workers once again, firing gunshots in the area. The police’s anti-landguard unit, who had reportedly set up an ambush, initially attempted to arrest the suspects. However, the suspects opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire
Also Read: Judicial Service: A registrar was sacked for preparing fraudulent court orders
An anonymous community source described the incident as a positive development, as the landguards had been causing fear in the community for years. The source revealed that the incident occurred on a piece of land in Bortianor Hills owned by a developer. The developer had been working on the land for over a month, and the landguards had persistently harassed the workers. The developer had reported the harassment to the police, prompting their investigation. While the police were laying an ambush, the landguards attacked the workers, and the police responded by opening fire, resulting in the death of nine landguards. Three landguards sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital.
“The incident happened at a land at Bortianor Hills belonging to a developer. The developer had been working on the land for over a month, and the landguards had been coming to harass the workers on a regular basis. The developer reported the harassment to the police, and the police came to the scene to investigate. While the police were laying an ambush, the landguards attacked the workers, and the police opened fire, killing nine of the landguards. Three of the landguards were injured and taken to the hospital”
Also Read: Who is Agradaa — Nogokpo replies former fetish priestess
“The activities of landguards are quite disturbing. They often demand money from developers, and some developers have paid as much as GH¢50,000 or even GH¢100,000 to the landguards,” the source said.
However, Serwaa Agyapong, a resident whose brother was shot, has disputed the claims that all those involved were landguards. She stated that her brother, who lived near her home, worked as a steel bender and had never been involved in landguard activities. She expressed dissatisfaction with how the police swiftly removed the bodies and covered up the blood stains with sand and leaves. She also accused the police of washing away the blood stains with water, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“My brother is not an armed robber, as is being perceived. He is a steel bender. After killing him, the police took his personal belongings, including a television set,” Serwaa Agyapong, the sister of one of the deceased, said.
